Chapter 1128 Excuse For Being Inferior
Xuan Tianyi thought, he should feel happy about this, like just now, he should be as excited as when he heard that Xiangrong rejected her marriage with Old Seventh and personally admitted that who she wanted to marry the most was him. But after he met Imperial Concubine Yun, when he saw Imperial Concubine Yuns face which had turned cold, why did the excitement from the bottom of his heart disappear without a trace?
This matter did not feel right!
Xuan Tianyi looked at Imperial Concubine Yun, not knowing what to say. Ask her questions? He was a bit perturbed. This Imperial Concubine Yun, she had not shown her face in front of others for over 20 years. Other than the one time he saw Imperial Concubine Yun from far away when she first entered the imperial palace when he was small, he never saw her again. At that time, Imperial Concubine Yun was still a young lady, even though she clearly did not look happy when she entered the imperial palace, she was still attracted by the splendid buildings in the imperial palace in the end, amazement in her eyes.
But after these more than 20 years, that young lady from before had already become a face which looked more imposing than the Empress when she had a stony expression, causing his heart which had become more unruly in the recent years to feel a slight fear under this imposing atmosphere.
Imperial Concubine Mother Yun should not joke about this, Xiang Feng Third Miss likes Seventh Brother. Finally squeezing out this sentence, Xuan Tianyi raised his hand and wiped away the sweat on his forehead, forcing a smile, Imperial Concubine Mother Yun, Madam An had already agreed to this marriage, you also personally came because of this, how can it change. This Sons mandarin duck image is a congratulatory gift for them.
Xuan Tianyi wanted to slap his mouth, he was clearly not thinking this, he even dared to kneel in front of Imperial Concubine Yun yesterday to ask for a marriage to Xiangrong! Why was it that when Imperial Concubine Yun acted hostile, he became afraid?
But words spoken were like water thrown out, it was not good for him to take back his words. In addition, he was also curious to know why things changed. Xiangrong saying that the person she wanted to marry the most was him, was this real or fake? If it was fake, why did Xiangrong do that? If it was real then how would Imperial Concubine Yun deal with this matter?
In the end, Xuan Tianyi was a prince who had fought for the throne in the past. Even though he had reined in his temperament in the recent years, there were still conspiracy like thoughts existing in his heart. For example, at this moment, he was thinking, for Xiangrong to cause such commotion, Imperial Concubine Yun only let her kneel for three days and three nights to atone, but how about after these three days and three nights? It was too easy for Imperial Concubine Yun to cause someones death without anyone noticing. Moreover, Imperial Concubine Yun actually said that she wanted to make a decision for him now, he wanted this decision from the bottom of his heart, but now he also did not dare to want it.
He was not afraid of Imperial Concubine Yun doing something bad to him, he was afraid that Imperial Concubine Yun would do something bad to Xiangrong.
After understanding to this layer, Xuan Tianyi immediately knelt down, saying solemnly: Imperial Concubine Mother Yun should pass judgement clearly, This Son has been used to leisurely strolling outside in the recent years, my words and actions are not that orderly, perhaps what happened yesterday enraged Imperial Concubine Mother Yun. This Son regretted it very much after thinking about it upon returning and came today to seek forgiveness from Imperial Concubine Mother Yun. The mandarin duck image is really a congratulatory gift for Seventh Brother. For the nonsense words I said earlier, Imperial Concubine Mother Yun, please do not take it seriously. As for Feng Third Miss perhaps a womans thoughts are shyer before marrying, and some things were overthought and could not be resolved. This Son is her disciple and understands her to some degree. I believe that she will recover after some days, Imperial Concubine Mother Yun should not lose your temper!
Imperial Concubine Yun looked at this prince who was kneeling in front of her, then turned her head and glanced at Xiangrong who was still kneeling in the courtyard, smiling suddenly. That smile was sinister, resembling Xuan Tianming very much. He remembered very well, every time his Ninth Brother showed that kind of smile, nothing good would happen at all. Whoever made him smile like this, none of them had a good ending.
Go back and wait! Imperial Concubine Yun spoke. Her voice was airy but it carried a firmness which did not allow anyone to protest. This One has been an Imperial Concubine for more than 20 years, but had never really made any decisions for someone, especially the decisions concerning you princes. This One is in a good mood today and happened to encounter this marriage matter, this decision has to be made. This Ones mind is made up, you do not need to say anything more, just go back and manage the grand wedding next year.
She gave the order to see the guests out, the maid who followed along and came up to him simply spoke to chase him away. Seeing that Xuan Tianyi was unwilling to leave, that maid picked him up and forcefully dragged him out. The female hidden guards which followed Imperial Concubine Yun out from Winter Moon Palace, what did they not dare to do, and what could not be done?
Xuan Tianyi was chased out of the house. Standing in the courtyard, he stood next to Feng Xiangrong. He lowered his head and looked at the girl kneeling next to him, unable to stop himself from sighing deeply: Why are you taking the trouble to do this? What commotion are you causing?
Xiangrong did not look up but did speak and replied: Sorry, this matter originally had nothing to do with you, its just that I used the excuse that there was someone else in my heart. Her Highness Imperial Concubine Yun thought it was you, that was why you were dragged into this. Do not worry, I will not cause any trouble for you, I will solve this matter on my own.
How are you supposed to solve this? Xian Tianyi shook his head in frustration, Feng Xiangrong, ah Feng Xiangrong, I do not blame you for dragging me into this, I was so hopeful that you would really become aware and want to marry me. But with things like this now, say, what should be done?
Xiangrong still did not look up, not saying anything more. No matter what Xuan Tianyi said, she only said that one sentence: I will solve this matter on my own.
Xuan Tianyi did not know what else to do, yet he could not bear to leave and have Xiangrong kneel here by herself, so he flicked his robes and knelt down next to her. Since you have to kneel, then we will kneel together. Hopefully, this will lessen Imperial Concubine Yuns anger a little, not holding it against you for having someone else in your heart. You should know, even though Old Seventh is not her blood related child, being raised on her knee for so many years, he is more grateful to Imperial Concubine Yuns care than Old Ninth. For you to mess with him like this, how could Imperial Concubine Yun just drop this matter so easily.
These two people were kneeling in the courtyard, this news spread quickly throughout the whole manor. Xuan Tianming was so angry that he did not want to care about it, and he also asked Feng Yuheng not to care about it. But both of them knew, once this matter blew up, it was alright if Imperial Concubine Yun stopped being angry and returned to the capital, once this anger did not dissipate easily, it was possible that Xuan Tianmings journey to the eastern border would be delayed because of this. Once something bad happened at the eastern border, Feng Yuheng thought, it was most likely the disaster mentioned by that Fengshui master, right? Without even waiting for the joining of their fates, the disaster happened, this caused her feelings to become harder and harder to stablise.
Next day, mid-autumn.
Because Xiangrong caused this commotion, the manor did not prepare to hold the mid-autumn banquet, but Imperial Concubine Yun said it must be held, there was only one reunion festival per year, it could not be skipped at all.
Feng Yuheng did not have any choice and could only hold a banquet as normal. Imperial Concubine Yun also allowed Xiangrong to stop kneeling and get up to attend the banquet. Other than Xiangrong, Xuan Tianyi was invited as well, arranging it such that he sat next to Xiangrong, making it look very awkward.
Xuan Tianyi felt uneasy, Feng Xiangrongs face was ashen. Imperial Concubine Yuns face was cold, that expression was just like when she was in Winter Moon Palace in the past, causing others to feel chills when they saw this. There was also An Shi, she sat on Xiangrongs other side, her face filled with worry.
Feng Yuheng wanted to say something as advice, but Xuan Tianming stopped her. Very quickly, they heard Imperial Concubine Yun speak: Today, it can be considered that everyone is here, there is a matter which This One needs to clarify, which would be the marriage between Feng familys Third Miss Feng Xiangrong and His Highness Prince Chun. Earlier, This One has made a mistake, playing the matchmaker wrongly, it was believed that the person Feng familys Third Miss had His Highness Prince Chun in her heart! But unexpectedly, it was the Fourth Prince. Since it was a mistake, then this mistake would be corrected today, As she spoke, she looked towards Xuan Tianyi: Didnt you kneel in front of This One two days ago and had This One make a decision for you to marry Feng Third Miss? Then good, This One will grant you your wish now, deciding the marriage for both of you.
Your Highness! An Shi was anxious, speaking first, Your Highness, it is Xiangrong who does not know better she An Shi wanted to say, it was okay not to marry the Seventh Prince, this also complied to her wishes, but it could not be done with this method and reason. She did not know what Xiangrong was thinking, she only knew that Imperial Concubine Yun was angry now, if she really engaged with the Fourth Prince like this, she was afraid that Imperial Concubine Yun would bear a grudge for the rest of her life, and because of this, it would not be easily to answer of the Ninth Prince like this, and even their relationship with Feng Yuheng might go bad!
She wanted to defend her daughter, but Imperial Concubine Yuns gaze swept over, a sharp look in her eyes, saying coldly: An Shi, This One is currently deciding on a marriage for a prince, since when do you have the right to interrupt!
An Shi shut her mouth, her heart feeling more perturbed. Xuan Tianyi also felt very conflicted, not knowing if he should accept or reject this.
He looked towards Xuan Tianming for help, but Xuan Tianming did not even look at him; he looked towards Feng Yuheng, Feng Yuhengs expression was the same as her husbands. Helpless, he could only push through and spoke: Imperial Concubine Mother Yun, please re-consider this.
This One has already decided, both of you should give your thanks! Imperial Concubine Yun was unhappy, and once she was unhappy, she became very stubborn. She did think that Xiangrong must have some difficulties she could not discuss to make such a decision, but she was angry that Xiangrong had troubles but did not speak up, insisting on hiding and closing it off, even finding such a reason. Very good, then her wish would be granted, lets see how that girl would respond.
With one sentence of give your thanks, Xuan Tianyi had no other choice, gritting his teeth and preparing to stand up to kneel to give his thanks. His butt had already left the chair, but he was stopped by Xiangrong next to him with a pull. After that, he saw Xiangrong stand up herself, bowing to Imperial Concubine Yun and saying: This Commoner thanks the favour from Your Highness Imperial Concubine Yun, it is just that my father had passed away a little more than a year ago. As a daughter, marriage should not be talked about at this time. Imperial Concubine Yun, please allow Xiangrong to show filial piety to my father for three years. After the three year period is over, we can talk about engagement then!
At this key moment, she mentioned Feng Jinyuan, this father who had never cared about her ever since she was young, finally became a one time shield for his daughter after his death. Imperial Concubine Yun looked at Xiangrong, gears turning in her head, she did not truly wish to have Xiangrong marry Old Fourth, this action was just for her to vent her anger. If these two really agreed to it, then it could only be seen as a destined arrangement. But in her heart, she did not want them to agree.
Xiangrong found this reason now, Imperial Concubine Yun thought, this is good, using this as a reason to compromise, this was considered a step down for her.
But at this key moment, Xuan Tianyi did not want to play along again, hearing him suddenly shout loudly: Showing filial piety to Feng Jinyuan? Show him what filial piety! Have you forgotten how he treated you? When he was alive, he did not fulfill his responsibility as a father, based on what should his children still show filial piety after his death? After saying this, he actually pointed to Feng Yuheng and said: Ninth sister-in-law is also Feng familys daughter, right? She is the daughter of the first wife and did not show any filial piety, why is a daughter of a concubine like you getting involved then?